New Testament
Luke 6:1
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, we see Jesus and his disciples walking through grain fields on a Sabbath day.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
On the second Sabbath after the first, Jesus was walking through the grain fields, and his disciples were picking heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.
And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, we see Jesus and his disciples walking through grain fields on a Sabbath day. The disciples were hungry, so they picked some heads of grain, rubbed them to separate the kernels, and ate them. This act raised questions about the Sabbath laws, as harvesting, even in small amounts, was often considered work. Jesus' actions and the disciples' behavior highlight the tension between strict adherence to religious rules and the need for compassion and understanding of human needs. This moment sets the stage for deeper discussions about the purpose of the Sabbath and the nature of true rest and worship. It emphasizes that mercy and meeting basic needs can take precedence over ritualistic observance of the law.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 6:1 to your life
This verse encourages us to prioritize compassion and human needs over rigid adherence to rules. In our lives, we should be mindful of how we can help others, especially when they are in need, even if it means bending some societal norms or expectations.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 6:1 mean?
Luke 6:1 describes an event where Jesus and his disciples walk through grain fields on the Sabbath. The disciples pick and eat grain, which raises questions about the Sabbath laws regarding work and highlights the conflict between religious rules and human needs.
What is the significance of the Sabbath in Luke 6:1?
In Luke 6:1, the Sabbath is significant because it represents a time of rest and worship. However, the actions of Jesus and his disciples challenge the strict interpretation of Sabbath laws, emphasizing that compassion and meeting basic needs are important.
How does Luke 6:1 relate to compassion and human needs?
Luke 6:1 highlights the importance of compassion by showing that Jesus prioritized the needs of his hungry disciples over strict adherence to the Sabbath laws. It suggests that meeting human needs can take precedence over ritualistic observance.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
Unlock the full Luke summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.